What parents need to know about YouTube’s new parental controls for tweens and teens
Parents of tweens and teens, we've got good news! YouTube is launching new parental controls specifically for kids in this age group. What a relief to those of us who see the value in letting them watch some of the content on YouTube...but who are exhausted from...
Parents, what if you just stopped managing screen time?
Over the last month, we've been getting bombarded with all sorts of posts about kids and screen time, from articles telling us that we've got a big problem on our hands to ways to feel okay about all the screen time. If you're like me, it feels like you're watching a...
How to “untab” your Gmail so you never miss an important email again
Chances are good that you're clicking through to this article because you don't know what "tabbed gmails" even are. Right? Well, here's the deal: Gmail has a "handy" organization tool that categorizes all your emails automatically. To see your emails, you have to...
The most helpful new iOS 14 feature you might have missed.
If you're like us, you were so busy rearranging your home screen that you missed one of the most helpful new iOS14 features. Of course, "helpful" is relative, especially these days when even the smallest little thing that gives us a taste of normalcy is helpful....
I lost 10 lbs in a month playing Supernatural. Here’s why I stuck with it.
Last month I shared my newest obsession: the Supernatural VR fitness app for Oculus. Now, after one month of counting calories and playing Supernatural 4-5 times per week, I stepped on the scale and found out I'd lost 10 pounds. I'm so excited (and, yeah, a little...
12 escapist podcasts to help you get away — even if you don’t leave your living room
Anyone else need a little break from the grindiest grind that is pandemic existence with small children? Or pandemic existence generally? I, for one, definitely do, and I've found some solace -- and a few giggles -- in these fun escapist podcasts that make me at least...
The 6 apps we use all the time | Out-Tech Your Kids episode 25
We've been having some lively discussions over in the Out Tech Your Kids Facebook group about lots of topics this past week, from screen time to video gaming, but the one we decided to chat about this week was our favorite apps, inspired by this post from Liz about...
6 + ways kids can celebrate a virtual Valentine’s Day safely using tech
Valentine's Day is the next holiday, after Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, that will be affected by our new socially distant lifestyle. No sprinkle-laden, heart-shaped cookies in class. No gaudily decorated shoeboxes sent to school. No handing out of...
6 great Apple TV+ original shows to try, if you’re still on the fence about subscribing
Have you been wondering if there are enough Apple TV+ original shows to make it worth adding another streaming service to your menu? I get it, we have a lot—and I mean a lot—to choose from these days, and my family is on a budget. Since each service charges their own...
6 smart ways to use tech to help your teen get better sleep at night. They need it!
Has anyone else's teens struggled with interrupted sleep since the pandemic? My kids' slower social lives and reduction in extracurricular activities certainly plays a part, but turning to tech to connect with friends is making an impact too. The American Association...
7 cool features of Apple’s Health app you probably didn’t know about
Since the new year started, I've been digging into the Apple Health app to try to do a better job of managing my health. What's cool is that it gathers data from multiple apps to give you a comprehensive picture of your health in one place, so that you're not always...
How to cut down on your own screen time | Out-Tech Your Kids Episode 24
Between the pandemic and the news cycle, we're finding ourselves on our phones way more than we'd like to be. Over the years, we've shared various ways to help curb your screen time, whether you want to completely shut things down or just need to get a couple of extra...
Tech Tips & Tricks to Make Life (Way) Easier
How to get rid of that unread email count badge on iPhone. Because we have enough stress these days!
I know I'm not the only one who wants to get rid of the unread email count badge on my phone that taunts me loudly in BRIGHT. RED. NUMBERS. Every so often, a friend on social media gleefully (like a Mr. Burns kind of gleeful if you ask me) will prompt friends and...
Is the new iOS 15 Focus Mode feature helpful for parents? I tried it to find out.
Lately I've heard some mixed opinions about the Focus feature on the latest iOS 15. If you haven't updated your iPhone yet, Focus mode is similar to the Sleep mode introduced with iOS 14 with even more detail and more ways to customize your notifications from apps,...
44 cool things you can do with the Amazon Echo: From productive time-savers to just plain fun.
There are so many things you can do with an Amazon Echo, something I quickly learned after getting an Amazon Echo Dot for Christmas a few years ago .(It's no Echo Studio, but still...) I admit I was a little skeptical at first. What's all the buzz about anyway and...
Even More Coolness. Enjoy!
Readeo: The ebook app that makes us think Epic + Zoom had a baby
Nothing compares to having your kid sitting in your lap while you read a book to them, but there's definitely a place for great ebook libraries on my kids' devices too. So when I saw Readeo advertised on my Instagram feed recently, I paused scrolling to check it out....
Getting in shape in 2021? Our review of the Supernatural VR exercise app on Oculus
Several weeks ago, if you'd told me I'd be excitedly looking forward to my work out each day, I'd have thought you were insane. I have never craved a good cardio session and I haven't had a gym membership in years. That said, I've recently gotten absolutely hooked on...
3 apps that help you manage your subscriptions, even the ones you didn’t know you had
Like a lot of you, I'm looking to get a tighter rein on my budget in 2021. First up: subscriptions. If you're like me, you've got a lot of them, some of which I didn't even know I still had. Thankfully, there are apps that can help you manage your subscriptions. What...
13 creative ways for teens to connect with friends virtually right now
Let's take a minute to applaud our teens who've been willing to quarantine this year. It's been brutal to lose so many activities they love, and they've handled it with flexibility and (mostly) good attitudes! While we'd hoped we'd be "back to normal" by now, the hard...
Our all-time favorite email organization trick | Out-Tech Your Kids Ep 23
Don't go into 2021 with 43,891 emails! (I'm not kidding. That's literally how many emails are in my inbox, currently). The simple trick we shared on our most recent Out-Tech Your Kids podcast episode has helped us start off every new year with inbox zero, and zero...
Why Todoist is the first to-do list app I have actually stuck with for an entire year
Every year I swear, this is the year I get organized! This is the year I find the best ever to-do list app and put everything on it and finally check things off my list instead of losing them forever and make more time for the things I love and life will be grand....
Clever ways to use Alexa to make your life easier | Out-Tech Your Kids Episode 22
We can all use ways to make our lives a little easier, which is why we’re talking about Alexa, which we know has helped our own staff, and maybe you too. That includes this episode’s sponsor Bamboo Learning, which offers fun ways for elementary-aged kids to learn and...
The top 10 most popular Cool Mom Tech posts of 2020
Every year, we share our top 10 most popular posts on Cool Mom Tech. From the best podcasts for kids to customizing your iPhone 14 home screen, here are the posts we wrote this year that resonated the most with our readers in 2020. Also check out: The top 10 Cool Mom...
3 cool apps and websites to track Santa Claus this Christmas | Out-Tech Your Kids Episode 21
We could all use a little extra magic this holiday season, which is why we decided it would be fun to share 3 cool apps and websites that can help you track Santa Claus this Christmas. They're totally free, and super easy to use. And we'll be honest: our kids have...
7 of the best video games to play together as a family
Who else is looking for the best video games to play as a family this holiday? To me, these family-friendly games make the best gifts for the holidays, since they provide some safe indoor fun at a time we all really need it. Plus, they pack a lot more play longevity...
Is this the end of the movie theater? 6 gift ideas for families setting up a home movie theater this year.
Did you all see the huge announcement from Warner Bros. yesterday? For 2021, they'll be streaming all their new release movies directly to HBO Max the same day they hit theaters. That means Wonder Woman, Dune, The Matrix 4 and every other movie from the studio can be...
3 types of security devices to help you keep an eye on your holiday deliveries
The ladies who live on my quiet, suburban neighborhood street have gone full-on neighborhood watch this week, because we've had a rash of packages stolen off front porches. Our delivery services are at maxed-out capacity, and they're hurrying to get everything to us...